Thursday, March 27, 2014

Today was a beautiful day but felt more like Winter than Spring. I left late morning hoping temps would would break freezing. I darned all my Winter riding clothes including a balaclava. Skies were bright blue with plenty of sunshine and light winds. It was a cold start and I even got a bit of brain freeze for the first few miles. I expected things to warm up by noon but that didn't happen. The little snow we got from the recent storm remained. Winds picked up the last 10 miles keeping that arctic air in place. Fortunately, it was to my back. It seems we just can't catch a break. Sunny and cold or warm and rainy and lots and lots and lots of wind.

Friday, March 21, 2014

If you want to call upper 40's with gusty winds Spring, then today was the second day. I new it was going to be windy but it was forecasted for 10-12. As it turned out it was more like 20. My plan was to do a 40+ miler and enjoy the bright sunshine. There was no place I had to be. 16 miles into the ride I met up with my friend Bob. We started talking about my trip and before I new it about an hour had passed. Bob and I ride the same roads regularly and met about a year ago. We just seem to connect and enjoy our little on the ride chats. If I want to get back in a timely manner I have to wave hello and not stop. He is the one guy who understands my obsession. After our chat the winds picked up and time passed. I scaled the ride back to 36 miles. A very pleasant day indeed.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Today, the first day of Spring, mid 50's, partly sunny and those awful 20 mph winds. The best I could do was a 15 mile ride to the market. Tomorrow promises to be a bit cooler with less wind. I'm hoping for a longer ride.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Spring is tomorrow although you wouldn't know it. It's still quite chilly but no snow and lot's of wind. I got out early to get a few miles in before the forecated rain. Bike of choice the Greenway. It's been almost 2 months since my last ride. I was enjoying the unusual east winds for the first 20 miles. I decided to add a few miles and pop over to my mechanic. I have had problems adjusting the rear disk brakes. Van, with his magic fingers made all things right. Oh course, when I left, the late rain decided to come early. It did stop after a few miles. The wind, however, was now in my face for the last 16 miles. Slow and steady was my motto. You have to make the best of what weather throw's at you and all things considered it was a good ride.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

The trip is over and time to move on. I was looking forward to finally getting out for a ride. It promised to be a nice sunny day in the mid 50's and some wind. I thought I would take the Stratus for a nice easy 35-40 miler. It's been a while since I have been on a 2 wheeler and the first few miles were shaky. The wind was gustier than anticipated and I was just not feeling all that comfortable. It was also Saturday, my least favorite day to ride. Lot's of cars packing seven days of errands into one. I was tempted to turn back and take the trike but I had an hour of reassembly and cleaning to do. I pushed on and after a few miles I was out of town and back on familiar country roads. March is a month in which you never know what to expect in weather. Freezing temps today, warm sunshine tomorrow. The one thing you can count on is wind. Today was exceptionally windy with gusts over 25 mph. The cross winds when riding through open fields was so strong I had to stop for fear of being blown over. At times I was riding 70-80 degrees angled into the wind to stay upright. Even with the wind at my back it would sometimes catch the fairing in such a way as to sail me across the road.. It was not a day for riding a 2 wheeler. I don't know why I didn't take the Greenway. I finally completed 37 miles and was grateful to get home safe and sound.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

I was very fortunate. Everything came together beautifully. I only had 2 days of rain. Not a single break down or even a flat. My only maintenance was frequently oiling the chain. I carried 1 extra cell phone battery and 1 charging battery, never used them. I plugged in at restaurants and almost every night. The smartphone is an amazing invention and helped me stay connected at some of the most lonely times. Riding a recumbent allowed me to wear street clothes. I took extra long sleeve shirts and a fleece. I was glad I did for those cold morning starts and cold camping nights. I camped 4 nights. There are more campgrounds available than good inexpensive motels. If I kept my mileage around 50-60/day camping would be fine. I could setup and take down in less than 10 minutes. The motels came in handy on those long rides but you have to wonder if the sheets have been changed. I was concerned about Florida drivers both retirees and rednecks. As it turned out I got cursed at once and honked and yelled at only a few times in 825 miles. I get more than that at home on a 30 mile ride. The people I met along the way were kind and helpful. I never once felt threatened. A lot of what Florida calls bike paths are nothing more than sidewalks. Interior Florida has some major hills. I did have to walk my "contraption" up one of them. It's not all beach, orange groves and wet lands. There are some windy country roads with horse and cattle ranches.
This was all about pedaling in warmer weather. If I wanted to stop and see more I would need months. I could have stayed for days, even weeks, in many places.
Adventure Cycling maps were accurate and up to date. You do have to pay attention. I did get lost a few times but nothing too ridiculous. A smile and a polite greeting always got me back on track.
My trike is unique and people were most curious. It wasn't hard for the locals to figure out who the bike belonged to when dining. It was a great way to meet people.
The trip was awesome. A lifetime experience to cherish.

I left St Augustine about 7:30 after 2 helpings from the continental breakfast. It was beautiful with a crescent moon. I managed to get 2 hrs of riding before the rain. I met up with a young tourer Mathew. He was heading north from the Keys. He had already circled the US. It was now raining steady so I took a lunch break at Flagler Beach, “By the Sea Cafe”. Very charming and great food. After recharging I finally made it to Southern Daytona Beach.

I left Daytona in light drizzle with temps in the 40s. Nice 20 or so miles through New Smyrna and Edgewater. Beautiful town parks along the Inter-coastal. After that it was a straight run down US A1A. Some good shoulders, some bad, all pretty boring. The good news was the sun was peaking through. I arrived 55 miles later at the Budget motel in Titusville. Let's just say I would have been better off camping.

On a scale of 1-10 today was an 11. The first 10 miles out busy, then from Bellwood past Cocoa and into Melbourne were on 25 mph River rd. Then across Eau Gallie Causeway to Melbourne beach and down the outer banks to Floridana and Long point Inlet City Park. Awesome!

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Long point Inlet City Park. First camping night.

March 13, 2014, 10:52AM

Nope not an alligator

\

Beautifully inviting

Another spectacular morning

Now that's a breakfast

_________________________________________________________________________________Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 7:42PM

If yesterday was an 11, today was a 13. I slept great in the tent and awoke to a glorious day. I did 100 miles. That's right 100 miles on my fully loaded trike. When I checked the mileage to my sister's house on Google maps it was an additional 30 miles. I guess that's how the crow flies. I knew I had a great place to stay for the next few days and it was a kickass day so I went for it. I had the wind at my back and was going at a good clip. I must have climbed over Indian River inter-coastal a dozen times. It didn't matter the vistas were amazing. I truly understand why people want to live here. 272 miles in 4 days, time for a break.

I had a great couple of days catching up with family. The weather was on the money. I found a route using mapquest from Palm Beach Gardens west back onto my Adventure cycling route in South Bay. The south east tip of Lake Okeechobee. I pedaled down a road called 20 mile rd along a canal. I saw many gators but as it turns out they are quite camera shy. I tried to ride the bike path along scenic Lake Okeechobee but they were doing construction. 50 miles didn't seem like much so I ended the day with 80 miles in Clewiston. I was fortunate to get a campsite for $15. Only problem the mosquitoes are brutal at night. Another great day of riding.

I had to decide whether to take my chances on the highway and save 25 miles or follow the suggested route. I took the suggested route. Not only did it cost me extra hours in the saddle it took me through some of the most remote roads I have ever traveled. No place for shade or any cover from lightning. On top of that It was Panther country. Fortunately, I ran out of water just 4 miles from my first return to civilization. It was only 50 miles and felt like 80. After a quick refueling I opted for the closest place for the night. As it turned out at 65 miles was this great Methodist retreat. I got a bunk house with a/c for $16 and for another $2 laundry. Tomorrow Ft Myers.

It was a great start with country roads turning to backstreet suburbs then busy roads. A lot of "Florida bike paths" are nothing more than sidewalks. I did hit an actual bike path for 6 miles. All was going well until 3 miles from Ft Myers Beach. The skies opened with thunder and lightening. Too risky to try for the bridge. I took shelter for awhile at Walgreens. Severe storms forecasted for the rest of the day. The closest hotels were $250. I got a heads up for a Days Inn about 5 miles north. A hot shower and a warm meal and all is well. Only 45 miles today but I'm safe. Looking forward to the 2nd half.

It was a beautiful but very windy ride out of Ft Myers. Winds gusting over 17 mph from the north west. Made for a slow go. Past through Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte where I had to use the sidewalk to get through town. Nice vistas from the bridges over the rivers. Then I got in the country. Nice cattle farms and orange groves. The last 10 miles was very scenic on high top winding roads. I made campground in Arcadia. Road into town but not much happening so back for an early night.

Ft Myers

March 13, 2014, 10:50AM

North Ft Myers

Exactly how I felt

Sandhill Cranes

Wilderness camping. Tough to find in the dark.

_________________________________________________________________________________Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 8:07PM

Great ride today. Cold 45 degree start but warming into the low 70s. Nice rural scenic roads with some rollers per Florida's standards. I'm keeping a running total so I'm not exactly sure how many miles today. I think around 70-75. I'm staying at an RV park that rents out a few sites. $25 and some of the nicest people. Tonights daylight savings so I won't be able to leave too early. Have to wait for the sun to rise. Looks like Winter Gardens for tomorrow.

Another cold start out of Lake Wales. I skipped the first 10 miles of shoreline scenery and took a more direct route. I had plenty of miles to cover. As usual Adventurecycling takes you on beautiful back roads when possible and today was no exception. There were some early morning hills and then some nice rollers. Things were fine until I hit close to Disney. The roads got busy and at one point I was on a highway with no shoulder. The next 25 miles were major hills. It was a slow go to the end and I was tired. 65 miles. No camping tonight. Budget Inn.

Long pedaling day. Hit the bike path out of Winter Gardens. Nice but after about 7 miles I got lost. Probably 5 extra miles. I was hoping the hills were behind me but no such luck. I quickly learned when a town or street has mount or hill in it's name you can be assured you're in for some work. The route took me on “Thrill Hill Rd”. I got up half and pushed my "contraption" up the rest. I was worried at this rate I would get to my motel after dark. Things did ease up and I began to cruise. On one stretch of road I saw 3 accident markings in a half mile. Sad! It's funny but I left a week early to avoid Bike week in Daytona and now I'm hitting it on the way back. I'm staying at Spring Waters Inn in Deleon Springs. A beautiful quaint 5 room motel. I know the sheets were changed. With bike week going on I don't think I'll have luck finding a room tomorrow. I expect it might be 85 miles back to the car.

I left Deleon Springs at daybreak after a great breakfast. I had 85 miles to go. I didn't expect hills and I knew the weather was going to be spot on. The map was pretty straight forward so no getting lost. By highway standards I was only 26 miles from Ormond Beach but I chose the maps route on quieter roads. Bike week was obvious, they were everywhere. It did give me comfort as motorists were more aware and cautious. On the other hand I was getting tired of the loud Harley exhaust. When I finally hit A1A it was fun watching all the bikers. I too was a little celebrity as bikers took my picture. I was fortunate that the winds were from the south giving me a nice push home. The scariest part was the last 10 miles. A busy 4 lane road with what seemed to be the retirees heading out for the early bird specials. I finally made it back to my car.

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About Me

Rediscovered cycling when I moved to NJ over 25 yrs ago. Discovered recumbents 14 yrs ago and haven't looked back. Getting out in the fresh air and exercising without polluting gives me great satisfaction. In 2012 I had almost as many miles on my bike as my car. My future goal is to have more miles on my bike. In addition to cycling, I enjoy camping. I am a devoted husband, father and grandfather.